After this, the Emperor and the attendant princes and officials proceed to the Temple of Agriculture, which is dedicated to _Shin-nung_, or the “Divine Husbandman,” the fabulous originator of the art. Here bullocks, swine and sheep are offered in sacrifice, and prayers made to _Shin-nung_, and also to the god of the land, the grain, the ocean, the wind, the thunder and the rain. Similar plowing and worshiping are performed by the leading mandarins near the south gates of all the principal cities of the empire, after which the mandarins mount a platform, and calling around them the principal farmers of the vicinity, exhort them to the proper discharge of their duties as husbandmen. At the close of the addresses, they present to each of the farmers, who have been selected to receive them, certain presents or medals in the name of the Emperor, in order to encourage them. [Illustration: TEMPLE OF AGRICULTURE, AT PEKING, CHINA.] Apart from the idolatrous worship, this conduct of the Emperor and his officials is very praiseworthy; but it is sad to know that while “God has not left Himself without witness among them in that He does good, and sends them rain and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness,” they yet do not recognize His existence and beneficence, but give His glory to others, and His praise to graven images. [Illustration: A TEMPLE BUILT OF BRONZE IN HONOR OF CONFUCIUS.] TEMPLE TO CONFUCIUS. The most important and sacred temple is that adjoining the tomb of Confucius in Shantung, on which all the art of the Chinese architecture has been lavished. The main building consists of two stories, the upper veranda surrounding which “rests on gorgeous marble pillars, twenty-two feet high, and about two feet in diameter, which at a distance appear as if huge dragons were coiled around them and hanging from the top. The tiles of the roof are of yellow, as in Peking, and the ornamentation under the eaves is covered with wire-work to keep it from the birds. Inside the building is the image or statue of Confucius, in a gorgeously-curtained shrine, holding in his hand a slip of bamboo, such as was used for writing upon in his days. The statue is about eighteen feet by six feet, and is life-like. Confucius was strong, tall and well-built, with a full red face, and large and heavy head. On the tablet is the simple inscription, ‘The most Holy prescient Sage Confucius. His Spirit’s resting-place.’ On the east side are images of his favorite disciples, arranged according to the estimation in which he is said to have held them. The ceiling of the building is crowded with tablets, hung up in honor of the sage, each vying with another in extravagant praise. Before him and also before his disciples, were the usual frames for sacrifices, and in front of these, beautiful incense-pots, beside them were several most interesting relics, such as vases, said to be of the Shang Dynasty, B.C.